‘He was being called a proper beast’: Pervert jailed for attack on prison officer

APERVERT who headbutted a prison officer so he could be moved to another jail was locked up yesterday for 15 months. Andrew McKay, 26, assaulted Craig Lockhart, 38, at HMP Low Moss in Bishopbriggs last March.

McKay, who was serving a sentence for sexual assault, claimed he was being bullied by prison staff.

He requested a transfer and, when that did not work, carried out the attack.

McKay pleaded guilty yesterday to assaulting Mr Lockhart to his injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment.

The court heard Mr Lockhart and a colleague went into the cell to speak to McKay about a separate matter.

Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “The accused jumped up from his bed and headbutted Mr Lockhart on the bridge of his nose.

“This caused his nose to immediately start bleeding.”

McKay struggled as he was restrained by other officers.

Mr Lockhart was taken to hospital for treatment to a bruised forehead and swollen nose.

A small wound to the bridge of his nose was treated with steri-strips.

He continued to suffer from nasal blockages months after the assault due to a deviated septum which will require surgery.

Lawyer Stephen Biggam, defending, told the court McKay experienced a change in his mood due to a brain injury linked to a drug overdose.

He added: “His conviction was known to one of the officers and he said he was subjected to bullying.

“He said he was being called a proper beast and requested a transfer after making complaints.

“He assaulted the officer because he said he needed to do something to get a move from Low Moss.”

Sheriff Ian Fleming told McKay, of Denny, Stirlingshire, he had no choice but to impose a custodial sentence.

He said: “You took a deliberate action to assault this officer as a means to facilitate your transfer.

“Whatever the rights or wrongs, you shouldn’t have behaved like that.”